Second Half Effort Just Not Enough

Despite winnig the second half on the scoreboard and despite finishing the stronger side, Ireland were still 18-12 in arrears when referee Christophe Berdos blew the final whistle at Melbourne's Telstra Dome on Saturday

The trailed 15-7 at the break and went further behind when Matt Giteau landed an early second half penalty but extraordinarily this was the last score the Australians registered and ended the game desperately scrambling to deny the Irish the winning try after Brian O'Driscoll had left just a score separating the sides with a try in the corner.